The discovery thread!

[Vonbuddy]

My goal in the next few months is to iron out my preferences with the collection I have. That group of IEMs will keep me quite busy and will allow me to assess implementations across various companies like Aful, Dunu, MoonDrop, Kinera, Queen of Audio, EPZ, BGVP, Jomo, Shanling, Melody,TSMR, and Fiio among others. I have spent too much time acquiring and less time assessing with the best tool I have. My own ears.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

(it was about Aur Aure). O yes, thank you ! We really have to meet some day. In return, I have an I/O Volare; I can not imagine you are not interested to hear it .

I think you'll like the Aure if you get the chance? Spacious and incisive. Bass is very good. Midrange can be a tad bit dry, but the bass gives a good job of providing a tad bit of warmth. Treble is probably similar to how the Volare treble is described?

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

I don't think KZ ZS12 Pro is that old,


Terminator successor appear.

hmm..., KZ japan branch is pretty active,
they do raffle (follow and retweet) for new product pretty constantly it seems.
they did it with castor pro and now ZSX pro.
https://x.com/kzhifi/status/1849387051084619844

Now that's an ugly IEM! PASS.

 

[zabiri]

Recently checked out the Hiby R4 and I think is one of the best if not the best android players in the sub 200$ price range.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Someone please convince me to NOT get the Nautilus lol. I’d need to finance it which isn’t too smart, but it seems like a very limited product? Only 25 left?! For me it’s the best-looking IEM I’ve ever seen and j hear it sound dynamic and exciting which is what I’d want from a select set.

When we have the CCA Trio for $25.00?

Who am I trying to kid? Might as well join @Vonbuddy? He's got his incoming...

Time to go big and clear that signature with a mass cull.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

With all due respect to your tastes and preferences, my ears and mind interpret more warmth, in my entire music library, when I use 4.4, and there is no turning back!

More warmth with 4.4mm?

I got a cable to sell you... https://www.accessoryjack.com/products/pw-audio-orpheus-shielding-iem-earphone-upgrade-cable-4-wire

It comes in 4.4mm and will be warm as a blanket.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

As someone who has used 3.5 all my life until discovering 4.4 this year, I can say that as on a source that includes a 4.4 output, I can clearly tell an improved sound quality on most IEMs. I love it!

You get the same sensation using 2.5mm. There's no magic with 4.4mm. Just plug size. It's the source internals. Not the plug.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

My goal in the next few months is to iron out my preferences with the collection I have. That group of IEMs will keep me quite busy and will allow me to assess implementations across various companies like Aful, Dunu, MoonDrop, Kinera, Queen of Audio, EPZ, BGVP, Jomo, Shanling, Melody,TSMR, and Fiio among others. I have spent too much time acquiring and less time assessing with the best tool I have. My own ears.

Yep. Have a blast discovering your library, your rotation, and your ZEN.

 

[nikbr]

I've not used public transport in a while, but yeah, the Fitear are marvelous for it with their deep fit, understated looks, and lush sound.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

You get the same sensation using 2.5mm. There's no magic with 4.4mm. Just plug size. It's the source internals. Not the plug.

It's possible the source has a higher output impedance on balanced like the ONIX XM5 6.6 ohm bal 4.2 on single ended so that would / could possibly skull the sound profile depending on the IEM

 

[jbfps116]

You mean KZ will bring something later next year for 10% of the cost?

Yea but no KZ will ever look as nice as the Nautilus! That’s the reason I’d even remotely be slightly tempted by that $800 beauty.

 

[thaslaya]

The "bubbles" track from Horikawa-san is one of the my imaging test track

Absolutely! I use this track in all my reviews.

Are these pennies or IEMs? I dislike their look with a passion, but who am I to judge.

They have like an ancient Greek coin style and are solid metal so VERY heavy. I still find them comfortable and I actually like the design, although it is a bit gaudy.

Lemme try.

It’s just an IEM. This time next year there should be something as good at 50% price

Man that is so true actually. At this rate the Cantor type IEMs of today will be $400 this time next year.

 

[sistoz]

New ivipQ IEM released: the IQ-15 Purple Haze Fairy. With a single 11.2mm dynamic driver.



Looks to be currently priced at ~$56.

ivipQ IQ-15 Purple Haze Fairy

There are some similarities with the Inawaken Dawn…

I don't think KZ ZS12 Pro is that old,


Terminator successor appear.

hmm..., KZ japan branch is pretty active,
they do raffle (follow and retweet) for new product pretty constantly it seems.
they did it with castor pro and now ZSX pro.
https://x.com/kzhifi/status/1849387051084619844

It reminds me of a mussel

 

[Vonbuddy]

Listening to the Deuce. Fatfreq knows bass. No doubt about that. Getting the fit is a little hard to get that rumble, but once there it grabs you immediately. Treble and midrange are not overwhelmed by the bass. To get this bass and not have bleeding is amazing.

 

[pk4425]

Time to go big and clear that signature with a mass cull.

I think FWAL2 will agree there's more benefit to a mass cull than just additional funds. It's also mentally liberating to clean clutter, knowing you're getting value for something you may not even look at anymore, let alone use.